Hopkins Hot Springs
Hopkins Hot Springs, also known as Maple Grove Hot Springs, emerges near the Bear River at 4,900 feet in Franklin County. USGS measurements recorded 169°F at the source, making it one of the hotter springs in southeastern Idaho, with sodium-chloride water carrying 630 mg/L chloride and 490 mg/L sodium.
The spring rises along the Bear River corridor near Thatcher, where cottonwoods and willows line the riverbanks and agricultural fields spread across the valley floor. The Bear River Range climbs to the east, and the Malad Range defines the western horizon. Annual snowfall reaches 83 inches at this elevation, and winters bring persistent cold. The mineral-rich discharge stains the ground near the source, and the sulfur scent is detectable from some distance.
The Bear River Hot Springs district sits along a north-south fault zone where deeply circulated groundwater surfaces at high temperatures. The near-neutral pH of 7.3 combined with high chloride and sodium concentrations suggests water that has interacted extensively with buried evaporite deposits. The area has attracted visitors since pioneer settlement in the 1860s, and the Maple Grove name reflects the canyon's distinctive tree cover along this stretch of the Bear River.
Maple Grove Campground is 3.6 miles away with 12 first-come-first-served sites at $5 per night and a 14-day stay limit. No dumpsters are provided, so pack out all trash. The spring is about 700 feet from Maple Grove Road. Water at the source approaches 169°F and is dangerously hot. Only downstream pools where significant cooling has occurred are safe for contact.
Is Hopkins Hot Springs worth visiting?
Best for
- Overnight camping trips
The water at Hopkins Hot Springs is slightly alkaline (pH 7.3). It is notably rich in sodium (supports circulation and skin hydration), sulfate (traditionally used for skin conditions and inflammation), and chloride (natural antiseptic with skin health benefits).
Campground rules and regulations are posted at the site. There are no dumpsters on site, visitors must pack in and out their trash. Campsites: 12 developed sites--- At this time, there is not a reservation system in place for the campsites. Campsites are on a first come first serve basis. Overnight Camping Fees: $5.00 per vehicle/ per night This site is equipped picnic tables, fire rings, vault toilets, horseshoe pits, and boat ramp with a dock. There is no Day-use allowed and facilities a...